Art of Dope’s latest collection serves to not only bring high quality fashion to the masses, but there’s a message stitched into each thread of clothing that seeks to inspire those who don its fits.

“I did a lot of research on the lotus flower,” Art of Dope’s Founder/Creative Director, Anthony Burke, explains during my visit to their latest pop-up show at Footaction in Toronto’s Eaton Centre.

“It grows in muddy waters and rises to the top to open perfectly with sunlight. That’s the inspiration behind the latest collection, and that’s where we’re at as a collective: getting dirty at the bottom to eventually rise to the top.”

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That idea is represented in the floral design of their latest collection along with their original brand iconography of money, power, and respect (the $ sign, the eye, and the crown).

“Those are three things that we’re focused on in today’s society. They all influence each other in someway and my idea was to play on the negative and positive of them.”

Their latest pop-up show is a decorated affair that features Anthony’s artistic flare throughout the store’s decal. Upon entry your met with the musical spinnings of a DJ (my visit was blessed with Dre Ngozi) along with an alluring mural.

“That was actually the fifth design for the wall,” Anthony chuckles as he explains the order behind the chaos.

“All of these things are inspiration. I’m very inspired by the ’90s. Each icon has it’s own space within the wall, and I felt like some had to be colored and others didn’t.”

The pop-up shop runs all long weekend: from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on Monday and Sunday. If you find yourself downtown treat yourself to some dope fits made from a local brand that’s of the culture and for the culture.